Rock and Roll was the new hype during the 1950's and it was the type of music that the new generation would enjoy to listen and dance to. During this time, the new generation would be twisting, thrusting, grinding, and bumping to the new sound of music.
The Birth of Rock and Roll
The roots of the this new type of music is thanks to the rhythm and blues that many African Americans brought with them during the Great Migration. These rhythm and blues attracted many suburban teens. Due to the segregation and racism, many great artists of this genre didn't have the opportunity to shine and become someone big through this type of music. However, record producers saw a great potential in this genre and they would be on the search of some white artist that would be able to capture the sound that the African Americans had brought.
Elvis Presley
A record producer, Sam Phillips, would be the one that found that white artist that would be able to capture the sound brought by the African Americans. Elvis Presley had that deep Southern sound and his looks which helped him take an old style and make it his own. The sound that Elvis brought would spread, and more and more people would begin to ask for more Elvis records, making him one of the most popular names in the entertainment industry within two years!
Thoughts on Rock and Roll
Rock and Roll would be the new sound and the new trend among the young generation. However, this new sound was not popular among the old generation. They disliked the new sound of music that it would be thought of as "satan's music". The reason that the old generation thought of this new sound as "satan's music" was because of the new dances that it brought with it, which would go against many of the values and morals that many churches had. However, this didn't stop the new generation from listening to Rock and Roll and they would rebel against their parents in order to continue to listen to the music that they enjoyed. Rock and Roll was banned from many radio stations and schools; and because the sound originated from African Americans, many middle- class white civilians thought that the music had no taste. All of these thoughts did not matter to the young generation and their voice was louder. At the end of the day, all they wanted was to have some fun and forget about the tensions and all the fear that they have lived in during the previous war.
Sources:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/53d.asp
Sources:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/53d.asp
Music during this time reflected many of the racial tensions that increased as a result of the civil rights movement. Many African-Americans musicians rose to fame and enjoyed successes, but others were denied access to audience because of segregation. People believe that during the 50’s whites stole music from the African-Americans and used the music to benefit themselves in ways the original artists could not have. However, others believe that R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll helped connect blacks and whites during the movement. Do you think music had a positive or negative impact on the civil rights movement?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thepeoplehistory.com/50smusic.html